CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The fastest sophomore trotter in the history of Atlantic Canada will headline a stakes-laden card tonight at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 12-dash program features the Lady Slipper stakes for two- and three-year-old trotters with a 6:30 p.m. first race post time.
The first $9,000 Lady Slipper two-year-old division lines up in Race 2 as Mack Truck commands respect as the morning-line favourite from Post 4 for driver Gilles Barrieau, trainer Randy Van Meer and owners Donna Van Meer of Bowmanville, Ont., and Lynda MacSwain of Stratford. The two-year-old son of Credit Winner has recorded a pair of third-place finishes in his first two lifetime outings.
Tequila Tuesday is favoured in the second $9,000 division in Race 4, drawing the outside in the compact field of five. Myles Heffernan Sr. drives the son of Armbro Barrister for owner Jackie Heffernan of Summerville and trainer Myles Heffernan Jr. Tequila Tuesday will look for his second lifetime win with hopes of adding to his $16,876 bankroll.
In three-year-old Lady Slipper action, Getting Messi, the fastest sophomore trotter ever in Atlantic Canada has Post 3 in Race 6 in the first of three $8,000 divisions. Mike McGuigan drives the Len McGuigan-trainee for owner Jamie Whalen of Avondale.
The Armbro Barrister three-year-old is fresh off a 2:00-track record performance at Inverness Raceway in Nova Scotia for his second track record score.
Last year’s champion, Mile Hill Willie, has rail control in Race 8 for driver Barrieau and owner-trainer Paul Morrison of Cardigan. The son of Armbro Barrister has had two wins this season and has yet to miss a cheque.
The final Lady Slipper three-year-old trot split is in Race 10 as Ya Boy Bear leaves from Post 1 looking for the lion’s share of the $8,000 purse for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Michael Bailey of Morell. The Delcrest Julian gelding made a break in his latest outing in the track record mile at Inverness Raceway but was consistent in 1:59 in his prior starts.
The card also features the D & G Younker memorial open trot carrying a $2,350 purse in Race 7. Majian Tango is the morning-line choice from Post 5 for trainer-driver Jim Ripley with other top entries Star Photo (Jason Hughes) and Buckaroo (Campbell).
– Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
